HM Land Registry keeps the official record of who owns land and property in England and Wales. If you buy, inherit, receive as a gift or mortgage a property, you must make sure the register is updated.
In this guide, we have covered all the possible queries that an individual might have about who has an interest in property buying and selling.
This includes the introductory explanation of the land registry, the process of registration at the HM land registry, and what is needed to get your property registered. We will begin the discussion with a basic introduction.
What is HM Land Registry In the UK
HM land registry refers to HM Land Registry is a non-ministerial department that works for the registration of the ownership change of property and land in England and Wales.
The Department of Land Registry ensures the guarantee of land title by the government provided to the owners of land and property. Along with the land title, the owners are given the title plan in which there is an explanation of the boundaries of the relevant property.
As soon as the process of entering the details in the register is complete, the ownership changes are recorded by the land registry as well. Other factors that can affect the process are also considered. Leases and mortgages are such affecting examples in this case.
Why Is It Important to Register The Land?
Several people enquire about what the need to register the property and land or why is it required to record the changes in ownership. Are you wondering the same? Here is why.
The process of land and property registration gives you the protection and guarantee of property rights. If you need to prove ownership of property, you can do it through this process as well.
It is a valid way that keep your property protected from fraud. This further ensures that it becomes an easy process for you when you decide to sell your property or even change its ownership in the future.
If you are buying, inheriting, receiving a property as a gift, or taking out a mortgage, you must apply to HM Land Registry if:
- It is the first registration of a previously unregistered property.
- The property is already registered, but legal ownership is changing.
- New legal interests are being created against the property, such as a new mortgage or a registrable lease.
When Do You Have To Register With HM Land Registry?
Most homes in England and Wales are already registered. However, some older properties are still unregistered. In that case, the following events usually force you to register for the first time:
- Buying the property.
- Inheriting it.
- Receiving it as a gift.
- Taking out a mortgage on it.
- Being granted a lease of more than 7 years.
You normally have 2 months from the date of the event to apply for first registration. If you miss that deadline, the transfer may not pass legal ownership properly. As a result, you may have to fix it later, which costs time and money. So, ask your conveyancer to lodge the application straight after completion.
On the other hand, you can also register an unregistered property voluntarily, for example before you sell it.
The Information Held by Land Registry
Furthermore, the land registry keeps a record of the following information in the UK.
Flood Risk Indicator: This provides details of how likely the property is to flood.
Title Summary: This provides key details about the property, such as the registered owners’ names and whether the tenure is freehold or leasehold.
The Title Plan: This explains the details of property boundaries.
The Title Register: This holds the property owner’s details, such as their name. The purchase price paid for the property and the status of any mortgages are also part of this record.
If you want to check these details, you can simply access the details by searching online. You will immediately get the information about your registered property.
How to Check Who Owns a Property (and What It Costs in 2026/27)
Anyone can search the register, even if they do not own the property. Simply search by address or location on GOV.UK. Then, pick what you need:
| What you get | Cost (2026/27) |
| Property summary | Free |
| Title register (online copy) | £7 |
| Title plan (online copy) | £7 |
| Official copy of the register or plan (for court cases or legal proof) | £11 each |
The Process of Registration at the Land Registry
You must be wondering about the process of registration at the land registry by now. If you have decided to register your property, the first thing required is to check if the property is already registered or not. There can be two possible cases and what is to be done in both cases is discussed below:
In the case your property is already registered: You need to apply to transfer the legal ownership on the register. Your conveyancer will normally send Form TR1 (the transfer deed) and Form AP1 (the application to amend the register). Any new mortgage or lease that affects the property is also submitted for registration at this stage. After that, they send the application alongside the registration fee to HM Land Registry, usually online.
In the case your property was never registered: You must apply for a first registration. Your conveyancer will submit Form FR1 alongside a list of documents on Form DL, the original historic title deeds, proof of identity, and the relevant registration fee.
How Accotax Can Help
At Accotax, our expert property accountants help clients understand their property tax and accounting responsibilities.
Our team can assist with rental income records, allowable expenses, Self Assessment tax returns and Capital Gains Tax considerations when a property is sold.
If you need help understanding your property-related tax position, get in touch with us to discuss your circumstances.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, HM Land Registry is the official record of property ownership in England and Wales. If you buy, sell, inherit or mortgage a property, the register must be updated.
That keeps your rights protected and makes selling easier later. Before buying or selling, check whether the property is registered, understand which documents are required and confirm the correct registration fee.
Disclaimer: The information about HM Land Registry provided in this blog includes text and graphics in general. This does not intend to disregard any of the professional advice.
